Couch 188: Who needs those people, anyway?

So I just called L and scheduled a one-off followup to ending therapy 2 months ago, as we had talked about doing at my last session. I've been doing a good bit of thinking and reflecting on my therapy and had several realizations that I kinda want to share with her because I want her to know that she did so much good in this particular area for me. She told me that she doesn't have my old Thursday time available anymore (which I was actually very happy to hear!) so I'm going after work today. While she did close the door to doing more therapy when we ended in December, she did say her door was always open for something more along the lines of coaching/mentoring so I went ahead and called.

Has anybody who's ended therapy with a particular t ever done a followup after ending? I've been questioning the past couple days whether I 'should' call or not, then I told myself the hell with should, what does Artie want, and Artie said "I want to call". So I called.

Thanks!

Still don't know how to do it! I've got three users on my list though.

It's worth asking!

Well done Art for doing what's best for you. I hope the session goes well.

I keep hoping that my therapist is back in town and working today and that he's going to email me any moment saying he had a cancellation and do I want to come in today. That's not going to happen, is it? I have the urge to drive by his office to see if his car is there today just so I'd know he's back from his trip. I decided yesterday that he'd probably be better off without having to deal with me anymore.

Do any offer a free half session or intro talk? I think giving them a brief background info would be good. Maybe schedule with 1 or 2 whilst waiting for the good fit?

Thanks Lemoncake. She actually sounded kinda surprised to hear from me...

I did text my t this past sunday, re tony romo (tony was a thing with us). He texted right back. So far thats been it. But we didnt really terminate, we just stopped.

Breaks are hard for anyone NP, and there's nothing wrong with hoping that he's safely back. From all your previous posts, I don't think he regrets working with you.

Thanks, Lemon, I'm thinking I'll give them a little more info. I was just vague and said I was looking for short-term, maybe 1 or 2 sessions, like a consultation about an issue. So maybe if I say it's to discuss how things are going with my current therapy, that could possibly weed out one or two, if they weren't comfortable with that. The thing is, I mainly want to have the trial session in the week while T is out of town, then based on that determine if I want to see them again or what. So I don't want to schedule a bunch as that would be pricey. Maybe I'll just email a few back...

When I think about it, I guess L and I didn't do a strict termination (as in no future contact) either, since she left the door open for coaching or whatever. We just stopped therapy too after I had that 'termination dream', besides it hadn't really been therapy for quite awhile anyway. I see that now.

LT

For sure ask about the phone thing, and maybe re-read the profiles and see which of them you like most etc, maybe reply back to the top 3?? Ask possible additional questions and it's ok to say you want to consult about current T. You don't have to mention his name at all.

I emailed a bunch initially but only originally set up something with the first guy who replied and he was able to get me in within a few days.

Is this week he is gone coming soon? If so, for sure try to book at least 1, maybe 2 sessions now so they don't get booked up before its too late. Good luck..... and remember, this can be temp break, if you end up wanting to go back to current T, you can, but I think it's good you are doing this, I for sure would have but I knew that most people would be wanting to report my T for stuff I said, I'm finding that hard enough as it is with him even being out of the industry now

Anyway... good luck. Be sure to be honest too about your issues like with attachment and stuff so you can make sure to find the best fit possible

Thanks, yeah, I wasn't planning to mention his name. The only reason I told current T ex-T's and ex-MC's names is I learned he used to work at their office and figured he'd recognize them from identifying details I might have discussed--particularly ex-MC's wife's recent passing.


I'm not even sure if this will necessarily turn into a regular break from T--I might just see one or two during the week he's gone (week of 2/18), then see how I feel seeing them--do I feel a rapport and that they could help me?--and what we discuss, possibly how I feel when he gets back, etc. One person said she wouldn't have room for a regular client but could fit me in for one or two sessions of consultation. So maybe I'll reply to a few with more details, see what they say, see if they'd be willing to have brief phone call to discuss more, if they'd insist on regular intake session, etc.

LT

All of that sounds good, temporary is best, I was just saying it's ok if you choose to see someone else a bit and then go back to him later. So still like 2 weeks away, hopefully you can find a good one by then.

It's nice the lady is willing for one or two, that seems almost perfect really. I'm kinda doing the same, with the whole, can they help me... but I don't want a rapport...and that can take time anyway but I do want understanding. Which is why yesterday guy got axed asap

Keep us posted

I ran a couple errands. When I was in the store I had chocolate and soda in my hands. I put it back before I got to the register and then went to the local park and walked 1 mile. Not to toot my own horn, but yeah, for me it’s a big deal that I didn’t let the cravings win. I would not have stopped at one piece of candy. The whole pack would be gone.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming. I’m gonna go walk the dog now. Tomorrow it will be cold again.

Go you!! That's how I am with that junk. I can't start cuz I won't stop. I walked twice today so far, half mile each time. Was walking when I called L lol

Gross snow, go away. Winter is annoying now.

It's just been raining here off and on.

It's been raining here for days. Everything is a wet, muddy, soggy mess.

I didn't see it as a problem.

For Pete's sake. Now my brain is trying to tell me I should not have called L. :eyeroll:

Thats proof it was a good idea! You had blood in your brain!

Thank you! I shall tell my brain to hush.

I’ve never heard of anyone liking it either. We don’t even acknowledge it in this house.